Polar Bear building on Zang makes ‘most endangered’ architecture list

The poor old Polar Bear sits vacant, and a wind storm damaged it last year.

The unique building near Lake Cliff Park was built in the 1930s, and Preservation Dallas today named it among its list of most-endangered historic places in Dallas.

The building started life as a hamburger stand, and the Brigham family operated it as a Polar Bear ice cream shop from about 1940-1983. Find a detailed history of the building and Polar Bear ice cream here.

The annual Preservation Dallas list spotlights disappearing Dallas. “This list recognizes the many significant properties that make up our neighborhoods and reflect the lives of community leaders, important architects and builders, and the families who made Dallas their home,” according to a media release.

Other sites on the list include the Elbow Room near Baylor hospital and historic buildings in Downtown, Deep Ellum and Fair Park.